Tripod for my 40D

[TitusvilleSurfer]

I need a tripod. Obviously I already have the 24-70 f/2.8, and in the future plan to add some heavy lenses to my list. The 70-200 f/2.8 IS and 100-400 come to mind. I am seriously considering the Manfrotto 055XProB with 488CR2 head. Does this sound like a good buy? How sturdy is it in windy conditions (I spend a lot of time at the beach shooting surfers)? What do you think about the 488CR2? What about the 488CR4 or other heads? Help!!

[TitusvilleSurfer]

What about the 3021Bpro for a base? Never owning a tripod of my own before, I am confused on the difference between varying setups. With the camera body and lenses, I could easily discern what is better or worse and why. In the tripod business, the whole thing is a big gray area. Is the 3021 better than the 055XB? I don't really understand any concrete differences here. :/ I want a tripod which will support my gear so that I don't have to worry about it. I also want a tripod that I can buy and forget about. Ten years down the road I would like to be happily using the same setup. As such, I don't mind paying $$$ for it now. I am 5'8".

[alt4852]

hahaha, a fellow 40D/24-70 f/2.8L user! i thumbed through a really similar consideration here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=435791

hope it helps, and saves some people from reiterating some points.

[Blue Deuce]

24-70 and you shoot surfers ? You must be wading out to your chest:).

[Familiaphoto]

The 3021 and 055 are essentially the same tripod. I have teh 3021 with the 488RC2 and I love it. I don't own the 24-70 L but do use the 40D with 17-55 on it with no issues.

[Jon]

What about the 3021Bpro for a base? Never owning a tripod of my own before, I am confused on the difference between varying setups. With the camera body and lenses, I could easily discern what is better or worse and why. In the tripod business, the whole thing is a big gray area. Is the 3021 better than the 055XB? I don't really understand any concrete differences here. :/ I want a tripod which will support my gear so that I don't have to worry about it. I also want a tripod that I can buy and forget about. Ten years down the road I would like to be happily using the same setup. As such, I don't mind paying $$$ for it now. I am 5'8".

The 3021 and 055 are essentially the same tripod. I have teh 3021 with the 488RC2 and I love it. I don't own the 24-70 L but do use the 40D with 17-55 on it with no issues.
Manfrotto's made some minor changes to the 3021B and relabelled it the 055XBPro so it's now called the same thing world-wide.

[TitusvilleSurfer]

24-70 and you shoot surfers ? You must be wading out to your chest:).
I've been using my friend's 70-300 on his 10D for surfing so far (my avatar was taken by him with that setup, and we have comparable shots of him taken by me). We trade off every 5 waves. Anyway, now that I am into photography myself, I would like to use a 100-400 or 400 prime with my 40D. I also work for NASA (which sits on a wildlife refuge just shy of 300 sq miles) so long range birding / landscapes will be paramount (aka I need a quality tripod).

[TitusvilleSurfer]

hahaha, a fellow 40D/24-70 f/2.8L user! i thumbed through a really similar consideration here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=435791

hope it helps, and saves some people from reiterating some points.

Thanks for the link, I saw that thread myself. Quotes like this scare me: Bill, the problem is that he already has the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L and I know from experience that the 486RC2 is not always up to the task of holding that lens on a xxD body (like my 20D) steady without creeping, especially when flipped over into "portrait" position. I need to be able to hold a 100-400 on a tripod with an XXD comfortably. Like I said, I work for NASA. We have a policy to build everything so it could withstand 3X the beating it is expected to. I don't expect to accomplish that here, but I don't want to go cheap - I just care about quality.

[Blue Deuce]

I also work for NASA (which sits on a wildlife refuge just shy of 300 sq miles) so long range birding / landscapes will be paramount (aka I need a quality tripod).

I will be out that way myself tomorrow looking for birds.

[TitusvilleSurfer]

The eagles have been active lately. Yesterday we saw two eating an armadillo. Today a different pair was seen eating a soft shell turtle. Today by launcher road a big bobcat was messing with a 6 ft gator. There was also a panther sighting (but not by me)

[jhom]

Given your need for long and large lens, I would recommend you start looking at tripod setups more specifically designed for them. In my opinion, the Manfrotto 055 and 488 will be quite insufficient for your needs. As a mininim, I would start looking at the Gitzo 3 and higher series. In addition, I would start looking at more serious ballheads and even a Wimberley setup. For some examples, I would suggest you look at naturescapes.net for some information. Once you mount the longer lenses on the highly recommended Manfrotto setup here on POTN, you will immediately see the weakness of the setup. Unfortunately, you are getting into some significantly more expensive systems. Your price tag will be starting around $900 before adding a Wimberley or camera and lens plates. You don't want to mount your expensive long lenses on a legset that is a "90 lbs weakling."

[TitusvilleSurfer]

Well the 100-400 is only about 3 pounds, and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS 3 1/2. If the Manfrotto 055XProB with 488RC2 head can actually handle 90 pounds (which was way-way more than I expected), then it should be more than acceptable.

[jhom]

You mentioned 400 prime as well as long range birding. Typically, that means long focal length. You will find that load capacity is only one factor when considering an appropriate legset. In fact, focal length is more of a factor than weight especially when it comes to stability and vibration. Most tripods will hold much more than their stated load capacity. As a suggestion, mount a 400 or even 300 f2.8L IS on the Manfrotto 055 and 488 and you will see the limitations very quickly as it applies to vibration. Been there, done that.

[TitusvilleSurfer]

This is exactly why I started this thread. I've never had a tripod, and just don't know these things. I've read about them...but how it actually applies in real life - pfffttt you got me. I do plan on making good use of a remote shutter as well. I see many bulb mode 2:00 AM rocket launches in my future.

[jhom]

You might find that MLU (mirror lockup) is more important. Good luck on your shooting.